Steering gear box removal with long tube headers

[DusterDaddy415]

I am having some character building moments trying to R&R my PS gear box from my ‘72 Duster with long tube headers.
I have the header separated from the head and the mounting bolts removed from the steering gear box but, there is no room for either of them to come out.
I think I’m going to have to unbolt the steering column to separate the gear box spline from the coupler.
How do I separate the gear box spline from the coupler if my column is loose? I dont want to damage anything. Thanks! Here are some pics.

 

[harrisonm]

I have done that before in my 69 340 Barracuda. This is how I do it. It can be done in an afternoon. Some may disagree with my method, but it works. You will need a helper. Loosen (do not remove) the bolts on the steering box (SB) to the extent possible. That will make taking them out later go faster. Mine hade a weird 12 point head, so I just used a regular 12 point socket. Separate the header collector from the tailpipe on the driver's side and then remove all but two header bolts from the driver's side header. Just loosen those last two bolts about halfway. Remember that the rear bolt goes into the water jacket. Have a pan and towels ready. Now put a jack under the oil pan (block of wood or something to spread out the load and protect the pan). Remove motor mount bolts that will free the engine from the car. Remove the last two header bolts and have your helper hold on the header. Lift the engine with the jack as high as you can. You will get a few inches before the back of the engine hits the firewall. Have your helper move/lift/drop the header to give you access to the SB. Remove the SB bolts. The SB is heavy, be ready. now for the fun part between your helper moving the header around and you moving the SB around, you will eventually be able to wiggle the SB out. Depending on your headers, it could be through the top or bottom. Have cold beer ready to celebrate.

 

[DusterDaddy415]

I have done that before in my 69 340 Barracuda. This is how I do it. It can be done in an afternoon. Some may disagree with my method, but it works. You will need a helper. Loosen (do not remove) the bolts on the steering box (SB) to the extent possible. that will make taking them out later go faster. Mine hade a weird 12 point head, so I just used a regular 12 point socket. Separate the header collector from the tailpipe on the driver's side and then remove all but two header bolts from the driver's side header. Just loosen those last two bolts about halfway. Remember that the rear bolt goes into the water jacket. Have a pan and towels ready. Now put a jack under the oil pan (block of wood or something to spread out the load and protect the pan). Remove motor mount bolts that will free the engine from the car. Remove the last two header bolts and have your helper hold on the header. Lift the engine with the jack as high as you can. You will get a few inches before the back of the engine hits the firewall. Have your helper move/lift/drop the header to give you access to the SB. Remove the SB bolts. The SB is heavy, be ready. now for the fun part between your helper moving the header around and you moving the SB around, you will eventually be able to wiggle the SB out. Depending on your headers, it could be through the top or bottom. Have cold beer ready

 

[DusterDaddy415]

Removing the motor mounts didn’t even cross my mind. Not sure how accessible they are but I’ll give it a shot.

 

[RustyRatRod]

I'd just remove the driver's side headers and be done with it.

 

[dano]

I've pulled my drivers side Doug's header with a PS box in, do all the above and pull the starter, Z bar if you have one and the idler arm, to drop the center link down. Getting the car 2' off the ground helps. Doug's actually outlines this in their directions.

 

[harrisonm]

I'd just remove the driver's side headers and be done with it.

Depending on the headers, that may work, but every time I have done it, the motor had to be lifted. Trust me when I say that you can't pull the driver's side header (at least on my car), without lifting up the engine.

 

[RustyRatRod]

Depending on the headers, that may work, but every time I have done it, the motor had to be lifted. Trust me when I say that you can't pull the driver's side header (at least on my car), without lifting up the engine.

He's already talking about raising the engine. Stop trying to fight it and just remove the header. I mean really, how much longer does it take? 30 minutes? Drunk goin slow with hand tools while you're playing with the woman's boobs?